History of Pluto TV in Timeline

Pluto TV is a free, ad-supported streaming television service owned by Paramount Skydance. Founded in 2013 by Tom Ryan, Ilya Pozin, and Nick Grouf, it provides a wide array of content through digital linear channels, mimicking the traditional broadcast television experience. Available in the Americas and Europe, Pluto TV generates revenue through video advertisements displayed during commercial breaks, similar to conventional television.

2005: Viacom and CBS Split

In 2005, Viacom and CBS Corporation split into two separate companies.

2013: Series A Funding

During the second half of 2013, Pluto Inc. raised $13 million in series A funding from investors.

March 31, 2014: Beta Website Launch

On March 31, 2014, Pluto TV launched its beta website.

May 14, 2014: Digital Video Recorder Unveiled

On May 14, 2014, Pluto unveiled a digital video recorder feature on its website known as "myPluto", allowing users to "record" content by clicking a "save show" button that archived content from the channel as it played.

July 1, 2015: Content Deal with Hulu

On July 1, 2015, Pluto TV announced a deal with Hulu to distribute ad-supported video content available for free on Hulu's website, including episodes from ABC, NBC and Fox, television series, and animated programs.

October 2015: Additional Channels Added

In October 2015, Pluto TV added 20 channels from AwesomenessTV, Cracked, IGN, Just for Laughs, Legendary Digital Networks, Newsy, The Onion and DHX Media, bringing the total to around 120 curated channels.

May 15, 2016: PlayStation Store App Agreement

On May 15, 2016, Pluto TV signed an agreement with Sony to make the Pluto TV app available on the PlayStation Store for download by users of the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4.

April 30, 2017: Chief Programming Officer Appointed

On April 30, 2017, Pluto Inc. appointed Robert Magdlen as chief programming officer, responsible for programming and channel development.

May 15, 2017: Video-on-Demand Offering Launched

On May 15, 2017, Pluto TV launched a video-on-demand service with films and TV series licensed from distributors such as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Lionsgate, Warner Bros., Viacom, Sony Pictures, Fremantle, Monstercat, King Features Syndicate along with two Canadian studios, Nelvana and DHX.

May 2017: Monthly Users

As of May 2017, Pluto TV was averaging 6 million users per month.

October 2017: Investment from Samsung

By October 2017, Pluto TV had reached over 15 million users. On October 17 of that year, Pluto TV announced a $5 million investment from Samsung Venture Investment Corporation as part of an $8.3 million round of funding.

October 2017: Most Watched Roku Channels

As of October 2017, Pluto TV was rated one of the most-watched Roku Channels on Roku.

March 15, 2018: Partnership with SpotX

On March 15, 2018, Pluto TV partnered with SpotX to provide advertising monetization services.

July 19, 2018: Agreement with Sony Pictures Television

On July 19, 2018, Pluto TV announced an agreement with Sony Pictures Television to stream over 200 movies and TV shows from Sony Pictures.

August 1, 2018: Vizio WatchFree Launch

On August 1, 2018, Vizio launched WatchFree, a new ad-supported streaming platform powered by Pluto TV, built into Vizio's line of smart TVs.

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October 1, 2018: European Expansion

On October 1, 2018, Pluto TV expanded into Europe, launching on Sky's Now TV service in the UK with over 12 curated channels.

October 2018: Advertising Inventory

Also in October 2018, Pluto TV picked Tru Optik to help with advertising inventory.

December 4, 2018: Service Launched in Germany and Austria

On December 4, 2018, Pluto TV launched a regional service in Germany and Austria through an agreement with Sky, featuring 15 streaming channels.

January 22, 2019: Viacom Acquisition Announcement

On January 22, 2019, Viacom announced its intention to acquire Pluto TV for $340 million, with plans to use it as a marketing tool and expand into Latin America.

March 4, 2019: Acquisition Completion

On March 4, 2019, Viacom completed the acquisition of Pluto TV.

March 18, 2019: Global Expansion Plans

On March 18, 2019, Viacom announced plans to launch Pluto TV worldwide, focusing on ad-supported streaming platforms.

May 1, 2019: Branded Channels Introduced

On May 1, 2019, Pluto introduced branded channels based on Viacom Media Networks-owned cable outlets and other Viacom properties, including content from Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, VH1, Logo, TV Land and MTV.

June 13, 2019: Launch on Xfinity X1

On June 13, 2019, Pluto TV was launched on Comcast's Xfinity X1 cable boxes.

July 1, 2019: Spanish-Language Tier Launched

On July 1, 2019, Pluto TV launched a Spanish-language programming tier, Pluto TV Latino, with eleven Spanish and Portuguese-language channels.

August 13, 2019: Viacom and CBS Recombination Announced

On August 13, 2019, National Amusements announced that Viacom and CBS Corporation would recombine their assets into a singular entity to be named ViacomCBS.

September 2019: Mobile Platform Availability in Europe

In September 2019, Pluto TV became available on mobile platforms in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the UK.

November 13, 2019: CBS Channels Added

On November 13, 2019, CBS channels, including New York and Los Angeles services, and an Entertainment Tonight-branded channel (ET Live), were added to Pluto TV.

November 2019: Monthly Active Users

By November 2019, Pluto TV was estimated to have 20 million monthly active users.

January 2020: New Logo Unveiled

In January 2020, Pluto TV unveiled a new logo at CES 2020, followed by a redesign of its Apple iOS apps with a new channel guide and on-demand menu interface.

February 3, 2020: Latin America Launch Announcement

On February 3, 2020, ViacomCBS announced that Pluto TV would launch in Latin America at the end of March, offering 17 channels in Spanish and Portuguese.

February 20, 2020: ViacomCBS Estimates Pluto TV Viewership

On February 20, 2020, ViacomCBS estimated Pluto TV had a monthly average of 22 million viewers in Q4 2019 and projected 30 million monthly viewers by December 2020. Pluto content would be integrated into a revamped CBS All Access, part of ViacomCBS's focus on three core streaming services, including CBS All Access and Showtime's OTT service.

March 2020: Content Deals

In March 2020, Pluto TV had deals with 170 content partners, providing approximately 425 channels and 100,000 unique hours of programming.

July 9, 2020: Pluto TV Launches on Virgin Media in the UK

On July 9, 2020, Pluto TV launched an app for Virgin Media customers in the UK.

October 2020: ViacomCBS Streaming

In October 2020, Pluto TV became part of ViacomCBS Streaming, with Pluto TV CEO Tom Ryan leading the division.

November 17, 2020: Launch in Brazil

On November 17, 2020, Pluto TV was launched in Brazil.

December 2020: Expected Channels in Latin America

By the end of December 2020, over 80 channels were expected to be available on Pluto TV in Latin America.

March 2021: Sister Service to Paramount+

Since March 2021, after the Viacom and CBS Corporation merger, Pluto TV became a sister service to Paramount+ (previously known as CBS All Access).

July 17, 2021: Pluto TV Adds New Channels

On July 17, 2021, Pluto TV expanded its channel lineup with additions such as News 12 New York, Pluto TV Home, and Professional Bull Riders' RidePass. A deal with PBR made Pluto TV the exclusive platform for RidePass content.

September 29, 2021: ViacomCBS and Pluto TV Reach Consent Decree with FCC Over Closed Captioning Issues

On September 29, 2021, ViacomCBS agreed to pay $3.5 million and enter a consent decree with the FCC related to Pluto TV. The FCC found that the service failed to ensure clear and accessible closed captioning for viewers, maintain support hotlines, and provide visible captioning settings as required by law.

November 29, 2021: Pluto TV Announces Nordic Expansion

On November 29, 2021, ViacomCBS announced Pluto TV would launch in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark by 2022 in partnership with Nordic Entertainment Group, replacing Viafree upon launch.

February 2022: Paramount Streaming Renamed

In February 2022, ViacomCBS Streaming was renamed Paramount Streaming.

February 16, 2022: ViacomCBS Streaming Renamed Paramount Streaming

On February 16, 2022, ViacomCBS Streaming, the parent company of Pluto TV, was renamed Paramount Streaming, aligning with the rebranding of ViacomCBS to Paramount Global.

July 13, 2022: Pluto TV Adds New Channel Categories and Channels

On July 13, 2022, Pluto TV introduced five new channel categories, including Game Shows, Daytime TV, Home, Food, and Lifestyle & Culture, along with the addition of two new channels: Let's Make a Deal and The Judge Judy Channel.

August 2022: Pluto TV Expands Channel Lineup with Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune

In August 2022, Pluto TV expanded its offerings by adding new channels dedicated to the popular game shows Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.

September 1, 2022: Pluto TV Launches New Movie and TV Show Channels

On September 1, 2022, Pluto TV launched two new channels, '00s Replay' featuring 2K-themed movies, and The Ed Sullivan Show.

October 31, 2022: Pluto TV Adds CBS Classic Episodes

On October 31, 2022, Pluto TV announced the addition of 6,300 episodes of classic CBS-distributed series to its on-demand library by the end of 2022. These included series such as Cheers, Criminal Minds, Frasier, and Star Trek.

December 1, 2022: Pluto TV Launches in Canada

On December 1, 2022, Pluto TV launched in Canada in partnership with Corus Entertainment, which manages marketing, advertising sales, and channel contributions from its networks and libraries.

December 15, 2022: Pluto TV Launches Advertising Campaign Featuring Drew Barrymore

On December 15, 2022, Pluto TV introduced a new advertising campaign featuring talk show host/actress Drew Barrymore.

April 11, 2023: Pluto TV Launches CBS Sports Golazo Network

On April 11, 2023, Pluto TV launched the CBS Sports Golazo Network, focusing on Latin-aimed soccer content and leveraging Paramount Global's soccer rights for live games and discussions.

April 2023: Monthly Active Users

As of April 2023, Pluto TV had a total of 80 million monthly active users.

November 1, 2023: Paramount Announces Pluto TV and My5 Merger in the UK

On November 1, 2023, Paramount announced that Pluto TV would merge with My5 in the UK, with the launch planned for the second half of 2024. Paramount later called off the merger.

October 2024: Pluto TV Partners with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution

In October 2024, Pluto TV announced a new partnership with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution.

December 2024: Pluto TV Named Most Popular FAST Service in Canada

As of December 2024, according to Media Technology Monitor, Pluto TV was identified as the most popular free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service in Canada.

April 2025: Pluto TV Adds New Channels to Lineup

In April 2025, Pluto TV announced the addition of The Martha Stewart Channel, The Emeril Lagasse Channel, and ALLBLK Gems to its permanent channel lineup.

August 7, 2025: Paramount-Skydance Merger Completed

After the Paramount–Skydance merger was completed on August 7, 2025, CEO David Ellison announced that Pluto TV and Paramount+ will move to a unified technology stack beginning in 2026.

January 2, 2026: Pluto TV Channel Overview

As of January 2, 2026, Pluto TV offers approximately 425 channels, featuring content from syndication deals and Paramount Skydance's libraries. It includes traditional television channels and AVOD services, along with 'pop-up channels' for specialty programming.